(mechanical) A piece, such as a ring or hook, attached to another piece by a pin, in such a manner as to permit rotation about the pin as an axis.
1907 January,Harold Bindloss, chapter 7, inThe Dust of Conflict, 1st Canadian edition, Toronto, Ont.: McLeod & Allen,→OCLC:
The patter of feet, and clatter of strap andswivel, seemed to swell into a bewildering din, but they were almost upon the fielato offices, where the carretera entered the town, before a rifle flashed.
(military) A small piece ofordnance, turning on a point or swivel; called also swivel gun.
1796,John Stedman, chapter 4, inNarrative of a Five Years’ Expedition,[1], volume 1, London: J. Johnson, page81:
[The settlement] was entirely surrounded by a broad unfordable marsh or swamp, which prevented all communication, except by private paths under water, known only to the rebels, and before which Baron had placed loadedswivels[…]
1881,Thomas Wilhelm,A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer:
Applied to guns mounted upon the cartridges were fired without being tripods, stands,swivels, or carriages
(slang,uncountable) Strength of mind or character that enables one to overcome adversity; confidence; force of will.
(fishing) A small, usually ball- or barrel-shaped device used in angling to connect sections of fishing lines, consisting of two rings linked via a thrust bearing pivot joint.
(intransitive) To swing or turn, as on a pin or pivot.
2013 November 3, Delme Parfitt, “Cardiff City 1 - 0 Swansea City: Steven Caulker heads Bluebirds to South Wales derby win”, inWales Online:
As expected, Swansea began the game with some patient passing and the first chance fell to striker Michu in the fourth minute when he controlled a cross by Jonjo Shelvey andswivelled in the penalty box, only to fire over the bar.
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